AUTOMATED PLAYBACK CONTROL FOR AUDIO DEVICES USING ENVIRONMENTAL CUES AS INDICATORS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PAUSING AUDIO PLAYBACK
First Claim
1. A method for playing audio comprising:
- automatically detecting an occurrence of an environmental event external to an audio playing device while the audio playing device is playing audio; and
automatically pausing audio playback responsive to the detected occurrence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a solution for automated playback control for portable audio devices using environmental cues as indicators for interrupting playback. In the solution, an event handler can be responsive to environmental cues around the user of the portable audio device to determine if playback should be interrupted. Triggering events can be speech emanating from the user or another proximate entity, proximity detection of a person or device, user behavior changes/transitions, and the like. Device configuration can allow for user interaction to permit or deny playback interruption. User interactions can range from a “yes/no” speech response to motion sensitive headphones detecting a head “nod” or “shake” gesture to indicate approval or refusal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for playing audio comprising:
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automatically detecting an occurrence of an environmental event external to an audio playing device while the audio playing device is playing audio; and automatically pausing audio playback responsive to the detected occurrence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling playback in a portable multimedia device comprising:
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triggering a pausing event in response to at least one pause cue, wherein said pause cue results from a condition automatically detected by a sensor of the portable multimedia device; performing at least one of a set of defined actions based upon the determining step, wherein the at least one defined action comprises a pausing of audio playback; firing a resuming event in response to at least one resume cue, wherein said resume cue results from a condition automatically detected by a sensor of the portable media device; and resuming playback of said paused audio in response to an occurrence of the resuming event, wherein the triggering, performing, firing, and resuming steps are steps performed in accordance with a set of instructions contained within the portable media device, wherein said set of instructions are contained within at least one of software, firmware, and hardware electronics of the audio playing device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An audio playing device comprising:
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a playback controller configured to control a playback of audio from the audio playing device, wherein said playback control comprises a pause and a resume capability; at least one environment sensor configured to detect a condition of an external environment about the audio playing device; and an event handler configured to selectively activate/deactivate the pause and the resume capabilities of the playback controller based upon conditions detected by the at least one environment sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification